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Frequently Asked Questions:

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Why do I have back pain?

There are all kinds of reasons why you might have back pain. You could damage your back in an auto accident, when playing sports, or as a result of a fall. Less dramatically, poor posture can be surprisingly harmful to the structures in your spine, so your back pain could result from the way you sit at your desk.

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Chronic back pain is often due to the effects of aging on your spine. Over the years, wear-and-tear causes the vertebrae, discs, and soft tissues to deteriorate, leading to conditions like:

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• Facet joint arthritis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Bulging and herniated discs

• Spinal stenosis

• Spondylolisthesis

• Osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures

• Radiculopathy

 

Radiculopathy is a term for pinched or damaged nerves in your spine that cause pain and feelings like tingling, burning, prickling, and "pins-and-needles" that radiate into your legs and feet. You might also experience numbness and, in severe cases, weakness and loss of muscle control. Many of the conditions that cause back pain involve radiculopathy to some degree.  

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Another potential cause of back pain is spinal abnormalities that you might have had from birth, like scoliosis.

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How is back pain treated?

At Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions, Dr. Graf typically uses conservative treatments to address the cause of back pain, as they are often so effective. Therapies that he might include in your personalized treatment plan include:

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• Physical therapy: Physical therapy uses many different methods to relieve pain, encourage healing, and keep you mobile. Techniques that could help with back pain include massage therapy, manual manipulation, and stretching and strengthening exercises. Occupational therapy, which enables you to cope with tasks of daily living, can also be invaluable.

• Lifestyle changes: Losing weight and getting more exercise are some of the best ways to improve your overall health and relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain. Tackling stress and quitting smoking can also make a difference to your back pain.

• Complementary Therapies: Approaches like chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, and Pilates can all help address the cause of your back pain. They also help you manage stress.

• Orthobiologic medicine: Orthobiologic therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), A2M (alpha-2-macroglobulin), and stem cell therapy use human cells that promote natural healing. These injectable treatments can help repair damaged tissues that your body can't heal on its own. Medications might also be necessary to keep your pain in check while you heal. Dr. Graf is an expert in using a wide range of painkillers and other medicines to relieve pain while avoiding the adverse effects these drugs might cause as much as possible.

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Do I need surgery for persistent back pain?

Dr. Graf successfully treats the majority of patients without needing to refer them for surgery. If your initial treatment program isn't producing adequate results, he offers other methods that could be helpful without resorting to surgery.

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These treatments include:

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• Epidural steroid injections

• Facet joint injections

• Nerve blocks

• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)

 

SCS is an implantable neuromodulation technology that uses electrical impulses to disrupt the transmission of pain from nerves from your spine to your brain.

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To find effective ways of relieving back pain, call Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions today or request an appointment online.

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